Birds were particularly vulnerable to the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Thirty-one nominal species of the benthic harpacticoid family Zosimeidae Seifried, 2003 are known from several coastal systems less than 200 m depth and the deep sea. Click to place marker 2. What caused the Deepwater Horizon oil spill? The Gulf of Mexico shares its borders with the United States on the north, northeast, and northwest, and Mexico on the southwest, and the south. Roughly 4.9 million barrels worth of oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico, causing massive damage to marine, wildlife, and fishing habitats. We have not only provided the answer to the question here but have also explored more interesting facts about the Gulf. The average depth of the Gulf of Mexico is 5,299 feet (1,615 meters) and the maximum depth is estimated to be 14,383 feet (4,384 meters). The Ultimate Guide to Campgrounds in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, How to Plan a Budget-Friendly Beach Vacation, 10 Fun Family Activities in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, 10 Cheap & Free Things To Do in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, Take The Kids On A Catch & Release Crabbing Adventure On Alabama's Gulf Coast, The Best Restaurants for Fine Dining on Alabama Beaches, The Four Best Coffee Shops in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, 4 Beach Restaurants Perfect for Date-Night, 10 Things to Know Before Your Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Vacation, 5 Things I Learned From My Alabama Beach Vacation, Easy Options for a Pet-Friendly Beach Vacation, Bike-Sharing at Gulf State Park: Share the Trails, Share the Wheels, 10 Things to do with Teens in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, 5 Thrilling Amusement Parks Gulf Shores Orange Beach, The Gulf State Park Fishing and Education Pier. Anglers can check out the most common fish found on Alabamas beaches here. They found the Gulf is home to 2,000 year-old deep-sea black corals, many of which are only a few feet tall. Why wetlands are so critical for life on Earth, Rest in compost? Because salt doesnt compact under the weight of overlying layers like sediment does, it ends up being less dense than the sediment above it. The Annual John L. Borom Alabama Coastal Birdfest is a fantastic opportunity to witness these birds in action. The western end of the island of Cuba forms a partial barrier to the eastern Gulf of Mexico, where it joins the Caribbean Sea. Oil and gas interests generate about $124 billion, nearly half the sum generated by all industries combined. The basin is located in the southwestern quadrant of the Gulf, with its closest point to the U.S. coast at 200 miles (320km) southeast of Brownsville, Texas. Without a doubt, the sugar-white sand beaches on the Alabama and Florida gulf coast are among the most beautiful on the planet. On September 17 the bottom kill maneuver was successfully executed through the first relief well. Consequently it has access to all the survey data that private companies collect. Some of the notable species include Blacktip shark, Bonnethead shark, Bull shark, Great hammerhead shark, Lemon shark, Nurse shark, and Sand Tiger Shark. Because salt also flows easily, it can deform and get squeezed, which results in blobs of salt pushing up into the layers above, making domes and ridges and faults. A Comprehensive Guide. The Gulf of Mexico covers roughly 615,000 mi (1.6 million km) and is about 930 miles (1,500 km) wide. Several copepods of the family Zosimeidae were found in deep-sea sediment samples from the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of California (Mexico). Various waterfowl, shorebirds, coral reef, and endangered sea turtles establish their habitats in the Gulf of Mexico which is crucial to their survival. How big is the Gulf of Mexico? Claims by several research groups that subsurface plumes of dispersed hydrocarbons had been detected in May were initially dismissed by BP and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). [4] A proposal by the United States renaming Sigsbee Deep, with coordinates of 23 52 N 91 35 W, to "Mexico basin" was rejected by the Sixteenth Meeting of the GEBCO Sub-committee on Undersea Feature Names (SCUFN), the international authority on feature names, in 2003 with the note that it is "an historical name dating back to Sir John Murray." The Mississippi is the largest river that drains into the Gulf of Mexico and carries with it an extraordinary amount of these contaminants into the Gulf. Ukraine Russia War Crisis: Everything You Wanted to Know. The paper presents and discusses two semisubmersible designs that assume a common topsides and riser payload. It is the center of the United States oil refining and petrochemical industry and hence more than 18% of the US oil production is derived from the offshore wells in the Gulf of Mexico. This involves towing high-powered underwater air guns behind a ship. They die when they enter and are preserved by the high salt content, pickled in their tracks! Boasting some of the worlds most diverse coral reef ecosystems in the Caribbean and Florida, the Gulf of Mexico also is home to black coral, which is the oldest living marine organism currently known. Its over 600,000 square miles and from east to west it covers 932 miles. Unfortunately, yes. A few hundred years ago, our beaches were home to pirates who hid in Perdido Pass and Perdido Bay while waiting to raid ships in the Gulf. Each year millions of migratory birds trek the long journey across the Gulf to feed and mate. In early July the LMRP cap was removed for several days so that a more permanent seal could be installed; this capping stack was in place by July 12. Located close to the Continental Shelf, you'll find waters as deep as 600 feet just 10-12 miles from shore. This is the text I received from Captain Steve Papen after yet another cancelled trip due to unfavorable conditions. Click on a 1 degree by 1 degree square for access to low and high resolution images. The Gulf of Mexico is a 'sea' and is part of the Atlantic Ocean. We've gathered 113 of the most amazing facts you can use to impress anyone you meet. The Gulf was first explored by Amerigo Vespucci in 1497. The Gulf of Mexico is a large oval-shaped oceanic basin, that is located on the southeastern coast of North America and is bounded by the US states of Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, and Florida to the north, northeast and northwest; by the Mexican states of Campeche, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Veracruz and Yucatan to the south and southwest; and by the island of Cuba to the southeast. Long COVID patients turn to unproven treatments, Why evenings can be harder on people with dementia, This disease often goes under-diagnosedunless youre white, This sacred site could be Georgias first national park, See glow-in-the-dark mushrooms in Brazils other rainforest, 9 things to know about Holi, Indias most colorful festival, Anyone can discover a fossil on this beach. Thats great news when it comes to reaching those shipwrecks. These strange, complex configurations are part of the geology that created the conditions that allowed vast oil deposits to collect. Although Native Americans living in the region used the Gulf of Mexico for centuries as a source of food and building materials, the first European to explore the Gulf was Italian Amerigo Vespucci in 1497. It doesnt hurt that a large part of the Gulf is right over the North American Continental Shelves, which means the water is fairly shallow. Animals that wander into the lake dont come out alive. The Gulf of Mexico, under ordinary conditions, has tides of two feet or less, but on the wide and shallow shelf such a variation is quite noticeable. environmental disaster, Gulf of Mexico [2010]. With the consent of the seven companies, the BOEM released the map to the public. 30A is the #1 Guide to Floridas Scenic Highway 30-A. The Gulf of Mexico is exploited for oil and hence several offshore oil drilling rigs have been drilled for exploration and mining in the Bay of Campeche and the western Gulf region. Nearly all offshore oil and natural gas leasing and development activity currently occurs in the central and western Gulf of Mexico, where thousands of . Fish caught in the Gulf of Mexico make up about of the total catch in the US. The Florida Panhandle becomes a magical realm when you put on scuba gear, dive in the ocean, and breathe underwater. The surface area of the Gulf of California is about 160,000 km2 (or 62,000 square miles). To the south and southwest, the Gulf of Mexico is bordered by Mexico. Have some feedback for us? The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in pictures, The Perils of Industry: 10 Notable Accidents and Catastrophes, https://www.britannica.com/event/Deepwater-Horizon-oil-spill, National Ocean Service - Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, Deepwater Horizon oil spill of 2010 - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up), Deepwater Horizon oil spill: debris and oil, Deepwater Horizon oil spill of 2010: path of the oil, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. As per different reports, about 11 people had lost their lives and about 5,000 barrels of oil/day had leaked into the Gulf of Mexico from the 5,486m deep well on the platform. These skeletons may have the answer, Scientists are making advancements in birth controlfor men, Blood cleaning? Brown pelicans and laughing gulls were among the species most affected. depth (ft) Nearby waterbodies (689) The effect of the microscopic oil droplets on the ecosystem was unknown, though their presence, along with that of a layer of oil several inches thick discovered on portions of the seafloor in September, cast doubt on earlier predictions about the speed with which the discharged oil would dissipate. Besides the economic importance of the Gulf of Mexico, there are countless natural treasures to be found. The economics of the area as well as the environment thus are sensitive to pollution. Deepwater Horizon oil spill, also called Gulf of Mexico oil spill, largest marine oil spill in history, caused by an April 20, 2010, explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil riglocated in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 41 miles (66 km) off the coast of Louisiana and its subsequent sinking on April 22. "Dude, you have some terrible luck. The Gulf of Mexico is the ninth largest body of water in the world at a width of 810 nautical miles (1,500 km). at about 7,000-8,000 feet deep in the Gulf of Mexico. The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points, How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer, Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests. When the guns fire, they create sound waves that travel down and are reflected back up by the sea floor. This is twice the size of Texas. Natural gas is also extracted. (Weird fact: not all black coral is black.). The agricultural activities inland of the Gulf of Mexico coast have led to an increase in nitrogen-rich chemical fertilizers and pesticides and phosphorus-based detergents that are eventually washed away by rains or by rivers into the aquatic ecosystems. It is surrounded by the Mexican states of Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora, Sinaloa and Nayarit. The Sigsbee Deep[Note 1] (Mexico basin in the U. S. Board on Geographic Names Advisory Committee on Undersea Features (ACUF) Gazetteer),[1] is a roughly triangular basin that is the deepest part of the Gulf of Mexico named for Commander Charles Dwight Sigsbee, USN, Assistant U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, commanding officer of the USC&GS George S. Blake which discovered the feature during its mapping of the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf of Mexico is the ninth largest ocean basinin the world, covering almost 600,000 square miles. Some 1,680 miles of the US coastline and 1,743 miles of the Mexican coastline borders the Gulf of Mexico. Currently, there are about 27,000 wells, both oil and gas, that have been drilled and abandoned in the Gulf. The entire basin is about 600,000 square miles (1.5 million sq km). The seawater from the Caribbean Sea that enters the Gulf of Mexico via the Yucatn Channel, quickly circulates in a clockwise loop current before exiting the Gulf through the Florida Straits, eventually forming the Gulf Stream. The Sigsbee Deep, 200 miles southeast of Brownsville, Texas, is estimated to be between 12,300 to 14,383 feet. NOAA. In response to their call for help, the BOEM devised a way to make a high-resolution map by combining the data from several 3-D seismic surveys that exploration companies had done in the area. The oil rig involved in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill was owned and operated by offshore oil-drilling company Transocean and leased by the oil company BP. There are also several ships sunk in deep water off the mouth of the Mississippi River by German U-boats during World War II, as well as the only German U-boat sunk in the Northern Gulf by Allied forces, the U-166. This in turn stimulates plankton growth and attracts numerous shrimps, small fishes, and squids. The Gulf of Mexico supports different species of flora and fauna and is widely recognized for its diversity and productivity. There are over a thousand types of fish in the Gulf of Mexico, including pelagic species, reef species. These four industries produce nearly $234 billion annually. So, while the average depth of the Gulf of Mexico is not incredibly deep, there are some areas that are quite deep. Bats and agaves make tequila possibleand theyre both at risk, This empress was the most dangerous woman in Rome. While the Gulf of Mexico was once the source of colonization and discovery for early explorers, today its known for its four major industries oil and gas, shipping, fishing, and tourism. What if we could clean them out? Some of these Gulf of Mexico sharks include bull sharks, hammerhead sharks, and lemon sharks. Thankfully close to 80% of hurricanes formed lose strength and dissipate before reaching land. Bacteria that had adapted to consuming naturally occurring gas and oil seeping from the seabed were thought to have consumed a portion of it. It was used by the early Europeans as an exploration route to explore the Americas. They are fragile, ancient, and vital to the marine ecosystem. Left, scientists launch a seafloor sampling device off a research vessel into the Gulf of Mexico. A large oil spill occurred on April 22, 2010, in the Gulf of Mexico, when the Deepwater Horizon an oil drilling platform, suffered an explosion and sank into the Gulf. The Gulf of Mexico is the ninth largest body of water in the world. 7. The Padre Island is the worlds longest barrier island. However, there are some areas of the Gulf that are much deeper. It is largely surrounded by the continent of North America. In this guide, we explain exactly where the Gulf of Mexico is and what its boundaries are, and we include a Gulf of Mexico map so you can see a visual of it. Plenty of marine life lives on its borders but its a rare occurring killer lake for sure. The gulf's peculiar history gave rise to a landscape riddled with domes,. GMZ001-280215- Synopsis for the Gulf of Mexico 901 AM EST Mon Feb 27 2023 .SYNOPSIS.A ridge will continue to dominate the Gulf waters through Wed night. An important feature of the Gulf of Mexico is the Gulf Stream, which is a warm Atlantic current that begins in the region and flows north into the Atlantic Ocean. Its considered one of the worst natural disasters in history, and efforts to reverse some of the damage that was caused are still ongoing. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/geography-of-the-gulf-of-mexico-1435544. There are 7 barrier islands along the northwest portion of the Gulf of Mexico, one of which, South Padre. ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score, How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League, Is the ACT easier than the SAT? Though the leak had slowed, it was estimated by a government-commissioned panel of scientists that 4,900,000 barrels of oil had already leaked into the gulf. The roughly 5,000-year-old human remains were found in graves from the Yamnaya culture, and the discovery may partially explain their rapid expansion throughout Europe. 7. The Gulf has a total area of approximately 1,680,000 square kilometers (650,000 square miles) and a maximum depth of approximately 7,020 meters (23,000 ft). Youre probably familiar with the beautiful sandy beaches in Florida or the sprawling coastlines packed with beachgoers in South Padre Island, however, there are countless beautiful beaches along the Gulf of Mexico to be found throughout Mexico, Cuba, and the U.S. With an average temperature between 84F and 88F the Gulf of Mexico is a perfect vacation destination. Do You Know the Different Regions of the US? Cleanup crews attempted to burn the oil off of the water, gather the oil and move it, and block it from hitting the coast. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is the worst oil spill in history, leaving almost 5 million barrels of oil in the Gulf. The climate of the Gulf of Mexico region varies from tropical to subtropical type. It is a popular fishing destination, and its waters are used for transportation, recreation, and tourism. The floor of the Gulf of Mexico is one of the most geologically interesting stretches of the Earth's surface. The average depth of the Gulf of Mexico by shore is roughly 5,200 feet. How deep is the Gulf of Mexico? Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. How deep is the Gulf of Mexico? The College Entrance Examination BoardTM does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with the owner or any content of this site. For its immense natural resources and historical significance, not many are aware of this Gulf and its role in trade and commerce. The Gulf Stream originates here, and it is one of the strongest ocean currents in the world. It has been estimated that these islands were formed about 5,000 - 8,000 years ago. To its north, northeast, and northwest, the Gulf of Mexico is bordered by the Gulf Coast of the United States (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida). Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com, allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. 4. Looking at a map you may not realize that the Gulf of Mexico is the ninth largest body of water in the world. What is wind chill, and how does it affect your body? The Gulf of Mexico is somewhat shallow, along the coastal continental shelf areas, and has an average depth of 1,615m. The Gulf of Mexico features a wide continental shelf, specifically around Florida and the Yucatn Peninsula. It contains about 2,500 quadrillion liters of saltwater. In the United States the population of the coastal regions surrounding the Gulf of Mexico is estimated to number more than 60 million people by 2025, as states such as Texas (the second most populous state) and Florida (the third most populous state) are growing quickly. [3] The actual maximum depth is disputed and estimates range between 3,750 and 4,384 metres (12,303 and 14,383 ft). Louisiana is an especially important stop along their journey between Latin America and the breeding grounds in North America with nearly 2.5 million landing each day to rest. To the north of the Gulf of Mexico are the US states of Alabama, Texas, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. "Geography of the Gulf of Mexico." The deepest point is in the Mexico Basin (Sigsbee Deep), which is 17,070 feet (5,203 metres) below sea level. The Gulf of Mexico is an important economic region for all the three countries (Cuba, Mexico, and United States) that border it. The Spanish explorer Tristn de Luna y Arellano landed at Pensacola Bay and established a settlement on August 15, 1559. Fishing in the Gulf of Mexico: - Top spots & species - How to fish (charter fishing, deep sea fishing, shore fishing) - When to come | For beginners and pros . Recreation and tourism are also a significant part of the economy of the lands surrounding the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf of Mexico is the largest gulf in the world, with 600,000 sq miles bordered by 1,680 miles of US coastlines. coastline, at least 1,200 square miles of the deep ocean floor, and 68,000 square miles of surface water. It is widely believed, that the impact that led to the creation of this crater had triggered a series of catastrophic events, which ultimately led to the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous Period. The Gulf of Mexico is shallower, saltier, and warmer than the Atlantic Ocean. ". The accident resulted in the deaths of 11 workers and caused a massive, ongoing oil spill into the Gulf of Mexico. Over the next 150 million years the gulf continued to deepen and enlarge with the movements of the earth. The Gulf of Mexico is an ocean basin located close to the southeastern United States. Recreational and commercial fishing, water sports, scuba diving, and tourism also forms a significant part of the economy of the surrounding areas. Red tide algae blooms in the Gulf have led to large die-offs of marine species, and the Gulf of Mexico is reported to contain one of the highest levels of microplastics in the world. After the discovery of Cuba and Mexico by the early Europeans, Spain had led a military invasion through the Gulf to colonize these areas. They are known to be one of the smartest creatures in the animal kingdom. How did this mountain lion reach an uninhabited island? Its called the Gulf of Mexico. Two days later, following a series of pressure tests, it was announced that the well was completely sealed. More than 400 species of shellfish are found in the Gulf region. Briney, Amanda. "Flaming Oil Rig Sinks in Gulf of Mexico. The two reefs the East Flower Garden Bank and the West Flower Garden Bank were designated as a marine sanctuary in 1992. In addition to the oil, nearly 2 million gallons of toxic dispersants were sprayed into the Gulf's waters. South of Cocodrie at 28.09 degrees North and 90.71 degrees West, Diaphus Bank covers about 20 square miles. . The fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico are considered to be one of the most productive in the world and the many Gulf Coast States have their economies centered on fishing in the gulf area. The North-West Gulf of Mexico. n o date, more than $11.6 billion has been paid to Gulf-area T Both oceans and gulfs are large bodies of saltwater, but gulfs are smaller and are bordered on three sides by land. The coastal population of the five US states on the Gulf of Mexico is projected to increase from 44.2 million in 1995 to about 61.4 million in 2025. How Far Until You Reach the Seafloor of the Gulf of Mexico? (April 28, 2010). The rig's sinking on April 22 began the discharge of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. How deep is the Gulf of Mexico at its furthest point from its surface? However, in portions such as The Sigsbee Deep, which is 2 miles southwest of Brownsville, Texas, the depths reach up to 4,384 meters, or 14,383 feet! Along the south and southwest, the Gulf of Mexico is bordered by the Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche,and Yucatn. The small juvenile turtles also depend on the sargassum habitats in the open ocean for their survival. While most of the Gulf of Mexico is fairly shallow, its deepest point is Sigsbee Deep, which has an estimated maximum depth of 14,383 feet! To the southeast, it's bounded by the Caribbean Sea and Cuba. Facts About Marine Life in the Gulf of Mexico, 10 Facts About the Geography of Baja California. It has grown to become one of the worlds most important offshore petroleum production sites, and about 17% of the USs oil comes from there. The southeast is bordered by the northwest portion of Cuba, which includes the capital, Havana. Still interested in learning more about the Gulf of Mexico? Black coral that grows in the Gulf of Mexico is thought to be one of the oldest living organisms on Earth. Endangered marine species such as sperm whales and West Indian manatees are found in the gulf along with nearly 50 shark species like tiger and bull sharks. She has a wonderful poodle-terrier mix named Nelson, and together, they enjoy long walks, outdoor adventures, and playing with his many toys. The US States that border the Gulf of Mexico are famous for their beautiful beaches. While most of the Gulf of Mexico is fairly shallow, its deepest point is Sigsbee Deep, which has an estimated maximum depth of 14,383 feet! Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. How did the Deepwater Horizon oil spill affect birds? The groundbreaking promise of cellular housekeeping. Both cores were likely too weak to withstand the pressure because they were composed of a concrete mixture that used nitrogen gas to accelerate curing. ???? They found evidence of sediment resuspension linked with oceanic phenomena. Transcendentalism was a key movement in 19th-century America, but many people still aren't sure what it was all about. Though similar to the failed top kill, mud could be injected at much lower pressures during the static kill because of the stabilizing influence of the capping stack. A second disposal location roughly 125 miles south of Galveston, Texas, is known as Site A, and the Mississippi Canyon area is known as Site B. Because this continental shelf is easily accessible, the Gulf of Mexico is exploited for oil with offshore oil drilling rigs centered in the Bay of Campeche and the western Gulf region. Hurricanes are common along the Gulf Coast, such as Katrina in 2005, Ike in 2008, Harvey in 2016, and Michael in 2018. During this period the conditions are favorable for the development of hurricanes. Marc Pagani Photography/Shutterstock.com. liters. ABOARD THE WESTERN NEPTUNE, Gulf of Mexico Every 17 seconds, a small armada of ships trawling 130 miles from the Louisiana coast fire powerful air guns toward the bottom of the sea in a. It is enclosed largely by North America. With millions of gallons of oil spilled in the sea, the response effort was large and has lasted for over a decade. A study has dated the coral to be at least 2,000 years old. So is the Gulf of Mexico an ocean? Most of the basin consists of shallow intertidal areas, but its deepest point is called Sigsbee Deep and has an estimated depth of about 14,383 feet (4,384 m). The Gulf of Mexico supports huge populations of fishes. Check out our guide on the 13 colonies for everything you need to know about the colonies and how the US came to be. The Joshua Channel (labeled channel-levee) in the eastern Gulf of Mexico stands out clearly on the new high-resolution map of the sea floor. One of Earth's loneliest volcanoes holds an extraordinary secret. There have been over 750 known shipwrecks in the Gulf of Mexico. Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here: PrepScholar 2013-2018. On August 3 BP conducted a static kill, a procedure in which drilling mud was pumped into the well through the BOP. of Mexico before you plan a fishing trip. The average depth of the Gulf of Mexico is 5,299 feet (1,615 meters) and the maximum depth is estimated to be 14,383 feet (4,384 meters). From April through October 2022, NOAA and a diverse set of collaborators embarked on a set of eight scientific cruises in some of the Gulf of Mexico . Following the continental shelf edge westward, Diaphus Bank rises about 48 miles west of the Mississippi Trough. However, around 300 million years ago, in the late Triassic period, plate tectonics caused rifting within Pangea, and a rich oceanic basin created what is now the worlds largest gulf. 7. [2] As described below there is some confusion of names that apply to the basin or a particular point in the basin with both being found in technical and popular literature applying to both basin and the coordinates. With the damaged riser shorn from the LMRPthe top segment of the BOPthe cap was lowered into place. The US states of Texas and Florida are recognized as the most rapidly growing states. . The Gulf of Mexico is fed by the waters of 33 American rivers, the largest of which is the Mississippi River. Over the years, these water bodies turn into dead zones. The shores of the Gulf of Mexico also serve as important habitats for different shorebirds and waterfowls. After numerous shipwrecks, the explorers decided to establish settlements in the lands surrounding the Gulf, to minimize the number of shipments from Europe. Researchers recently announced that this year the excess fertilizer from farm fields carried to the Gulf of Mexico helped in the development of a low-oxygen, "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico that covered an area of 6,952 square miles - the 8th largest ever measured! The black coral that lives in the Gulf has been found recently to be in the running for one of the oldest living things on earth. "By clicking OK or by using this Website, you consent to the use of cookies.